The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-07-27
"She Hath Done What She Could"
MRS. GEORGE ADDICKS.

MRS. GEORGE ADDICKS.
The weary mother sank into the
chair beside the table, and buried her
face in her hands. Worn out, dis
couraged, was it any wonder that
hard, bitter thoughts would come?
About her were evidences of pover-
ty and want, yet everything was scru-
pulously neat and clean. From early
morn until late at night she had toll
ed. She had borne the heat and bur
den of the day, and now in the dewy
eve her heart rebelled at her lot.
How could she teach her little ones
Alright, and guide their tiny ]ife-boats,
freighted with their precious souls;
through the shoals and breakers of
chilhood, the treacherous quicksands
of early manhood and womanhood,
into the haven Of safety-a life hidden;
in Christ Jesus?
Was it right for her to be compelled
to toll on and on, with scarcely mo-
ment in which she might impress the
plastic minds and hearts of her little
ones with the principles of truth, vir-
tue and piety? ..-..
Only that day had her Willie, who
had been visiting with their neigh
bors, come home with some play
things which did not belong to him.
The thought that her boy would
steal was more than she could bear.
She had taken the things back and
severely punished the boy, and when
in the evening her children had gath
cred about her to say their evening
prayers, she had talked to them low
ingly and earnestly of the command
ment, "Thou shalt not steal :" but the
hard, sullen look. in Willie's face
showed his spirit unbroken.
But the poor have no time to spend
in idle repinings, SO with a heavy
heart she began to mend the much
worn and already oft-mended little
garments. The bitter thoughts are
still there; but as she sits silently
stitching, o voice says gently: "Come
unto me, all We that labor and are
heavy laden, and I will give you rest"
She looks around, but there Is no one
there. Quick ,as flash comes the
thought, WHO am I. that 1 should
Judge my Maker?" And in an agony
of remorse she sinks to the floor, and
with streaming eyes prays aloud for
forgiveness for her murmuring, for
strength to bear her burdens patiently
nay, cheerfully-and for wisdom to
train her children Alright. And as she
prays she seems to hear the fustle OF
angels wings, while sweetly and low
ingly comes the still small voice:
Daughter, be of good cheer; thy
faith hath made thee WHOLE"
She rises from her knees, and the
holy smile fiickering over her worn,
faded face, reflects the deep peace In
her heart. Yea, truly, it is good to
drink deeply at the living fountain.
She resumes her needle with q light
heart. She has laid her burden at
Jesus feet.
Suddenly she hears the patter of lit
tie feet on the bare floor, and, looking
up, sees Willie coming toward her.
'"Why, Willie, dear, what is the
matter?"
With q great sob he filings himself
in her arms, and cries:
20 mamma, mamma, [ will never
he naughty again. could not sleep,
and when heard you praying for me
I seemed to find out at once how
naughty I had been, and came to have
you ask God to forgive me and help
me be better"
Lovingly she soothed the excited
child, and when he was more calm
talked to him earnestly of his faults;
then, kneeling beside him, she prayed
Jesus to take away his naughty heart,
and give him a new one, white and
clean. With u goodnight kiss he
went back to his little cot comforted,
and was soon in the deep sleep of in
nocent childhood.
Years rolled on, full of trials and
discouragements, but the mother new
er again gave way as she did that.
night. She had learned lesson she
never forgot. And when clouds OF
darkness gathered DER her she turned
to her Saviour for strength and succor.
Day after day, year after year, she
patiently strove by word and example
to perfect the characters of those in-
trusted to her care.
One by one she saw them grow, to
manhood or womanhood, and had her
reward in part in seeing them occupy
honorable and influential positions IN
life, and by their influence teach 9th
ers the way of salvation. Then she
folded her tired hands, and the Master
whom she had served SO long and
faithfully said: ut is enough; come
up higher" ...
They laid her to rest in the quiet
church-yard, and the passer-by, stand
ing at her grave, reads on the marble
slab at her head, the simple inscrip-
tion: "Our mother. She hath done
what che cOlldO